On mental health, many leaders are still out of touch. The vast majority of execs think they're caring and employees are thriving. Nearly half their people disagree. Caring is more than showing concern. It's reaching out to see who's hurting and taking action to help them heal.

The person who makes you smarter isn't always the smartest one in the room. Often it's the most curious one in the room. "Why do we do that?" leads you to question old assumptions. "What if?" opens your eyes to new possibilities. Inquisitive people are catalysts for learning.

It's not your job to fix a toxic workplace from the bottom. If leaders at the top aren't committed to change, the best way to stay sane is to shield yourself and support your team. Your responsibility is to protect your well-being, your career, and the people you care about.

You can’t judge people only by how they treat you. The true test of character is how they treat those they don't like or need. Even if someone is kind to you, proceed with caution if they’re consistently unkind to others. Selective civility is a sign of deep-seated hostility.